Detachable golf spike attachment



July 14, 1970 J. w. MULLIKIN DETACHABLE GOLF SPIKE ATTACHMENT 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 10, 1969 Josiah w Mull/kin INVENTOR.

July 14, 1970 J. w. MULLIKIN 3,520,075

DETACHABLE GOLF SPIKE ATTACHMENT Filed Feb. 10, 1969 :3 Sheets-Sheet 46I00 0 l /06 o 68 I 1%. ml 1 a Josiah W. Mull/kin INVENTOR.

BY m zsfl United States Patent O 3,520,075 DETACHABLE GOLF SPIKEATTACHMENT Josiah W. Mullikin, Badge 90376, Box 455, Aramco, Ras Tanura,Saudi Arabia Filed Feb. 10, 1969, Ser. No. 797,813 Int. Cl. A43c /00 US.Cl. 36-65 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A self-containedattachment through the medium of which an ordinary street shoe can bereadily converted to a golf shoe and can be detached and stored forsubsequent use. It embodies sole and heel plates each having replaceablespikes and distributively arranged attaching clips capable of beingadjusted and then clamped on the sole and heel of the shoe. Therespective rearward and forward marginal edges of the plates arehingedly and adjustably joined by novel linking means in a manner tofacilitate applying and removing the attachment.

This invention relates to a compact and convenient attachment which issuch in construction and capability that it enables a user to clamp iton the bottom of a casual or street-type shoe in a manner to convert thesame to an acceptably usable golf shoe.

The idea of providing readily applicable and removable spikes, calks andcleats for the bottom of an ordinary or conventional-type shoe is not,as is known, new. If broad background information is desired the readercan refer to the patent to Patton 3,025,615. Other similar but lesspertinent prior patents could be but are not here cited.

Briefly, the attachment, broadly construed, is characterized by twosuitably proportioned plates made of appropriate sheet material. Oneplate, hereinafter referred to as the sole plate, is of appropriate sizeand shape that, when in use, it is superimposed firmly upon theunderneath surface of the sole of the wearers shoe. The secondcomplemental plate is likewise of appropriate side, shape and materialand it is designed and adapted for coaction with the shoe heel and isdesignated as the attachable and detachable heel plate. The rearwardmarginal transverse edge of the sole plate is properly angled tocooperate with the forward or inner edge of the heel plate and theseedges are spaced apart so that they occupy coacting positions at therespective end portions of the shank of the shoe bottom. Both of theseplates are provided with attachable and detachable ground-penetratingspikes which are distributively mounted on the underneath side surfacesof the plates. Both plates are also provided at appropriate places withreplaceable detachable and adjustable clips which are comparable,broadly speaking, with so-called skate clamps. These clips areindividually adjustable and are acceptably and reliably connected withsurfaces of the sole and heel components. In addition, and this isimportant, the longitudinally spaced generally parallel confrontinginner marginal edges of the respective plates are united or connected bynovel adjustable connecting means. This means, more specifically stated,is characterized by a hinged tongue and an adapter bracket. The adapterbracket is integral with the heel plate and is such in shape that a tangor extension of the tongue is adjustably connectible with the horizontalarm of the bracket.

The forward or sole plate is firmly and fittingly superimposed on theunderneath side of the sole of the shoe bottom and has distributivelyarranged replaceable calks or spikes. In addition, it has struck-outstrap members which function as accommodating stirrups for slottedhorizontal leg portions of the L-shaped plate attaching and retainingclips.

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The heel plate features similar circumferentially spaced stirrup-likestraps which are struck-out and also slidingly and adjustably mount thehorizontal legs of the heel plate attaching clips or clamps as they arehereinafter referred to. One of these clips is at the rear medianportion of the plate and has an upper end carrying a finger ring whichfacilitates applying and removing the heel plate.

Then, too, novelty is predicated on the adapter bracket carried by theheel plate and the hinged tongue carried by the sole plate and whereinadjacent end portions are overlapped and adjustably joined together.This provides the desired flexible linking connection between the heeland sole plates and insures the flexibility needed in applying andremoving the over-all attachment once the clamping clips have beenproperly adjusted.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing a casual or street type shoewhich is designated as a conventional type and which is here shown asconverted to provide a golf shoe by mounting the ready-to-useself-contained attachment thereon.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the attachment by itself.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the attachment appearing in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a central longitudinal sectional view with parts in sectionand elevation taken approximately on the plane of the section line 44 ofFIG. 2 looking in the direction of the indicating arrows.

FIG. 5 is a transverse view taken on the section line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a similar sectional view but taken on the plane of the sectionline 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view in section taken approximately 0n the planeof the section line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a view of a fragmentary sectional type showing a slightmodification in the vertical leg of the attaching clip.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of an exploded typeshowing the sole and heel plates completely separated and showing thebracket and hinged tongue which go to make up the primary components ofthe adjustable connecting means between the two plates.

And FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the construction andmounting of one of the aforementioned detachable or replaceable spikes.

With reference in particular to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will be evidentthat the aforementioned front or sole plate is designated by the numeral12 and that the rearward smaller heel plate is denoted by the numeral14. These plates are structurally, adjustably and separably linkedtogether by connecting means which is referred to broadly by the numeral16.

With respect to the plate 12 it will be noted that it is of requisitesize, shape and material and is contoured to fit with requisite nicetyagainst the tread of the sole A (FIG. 1) of the street shoe B. The heelof the shoe is denoted at C and the usual shank is designated at D. Thisplate has a forward or leading edge 18, a rearward or inner edge 20which is at a slight oblique angle as brought out in FIG. 2. The innerand outer longitudinal marginal edges 22 have struck-out straps 24 whichprovide stirrup-like keepers for the attachable, detachable andadjustable clamping clips 26. Each clip is of L-shaped form and as shownin FIG. 3 embodies a horizontal leg 28 having a slot 30 to accommodate aself-tapping screw or fastener 32. The vertical leg is denoted at 34(FIG. 1) and this has a terminal hook or upper end 36 which takes overthe welt or ledge portion of the sole A in the manner illustrated.

The clips 26 which serve to attach the sole plate are basically the sameand mounted similar to the clips 46 which are utilized for mounting theheel plate 14. However, the leg portions 34 are provided with lateralhooks which are retentively applied as best shown in FIG. 5. Theattachable, detachable and replaceable spikes (calks or cleats) arereferred to broadly here by the numeral 38 and will be referred to indetail later on.

With respect to the heel plate 14 this is structurally and basically thesame as the sole plate except that it is smaller and has a differentshape. Here the longitudinal marginal edges are referred to by thenumeral 40 and hereagain keeper straps are struck-out as at 42 toaccommodate the slotted horizontal arms 44 of the L-shaped attaching andretaining clips 46. Hereagain the clips are L-shaped and in eachinstance the horizontal leg is provided with a slot 50 (FIG. 3) toaccomodate the self-tapping attaching and adjusting screw 52. The twoside clips each has a vertical leg 54 (FIG. 6) which has a bent-overdetent 56 to hold it in place in the manner shown. At this point it isdesirable to mention the slight modification shown in FIG. 8 wherein thevertical leg of the clamping clip is denoted by the numeral 58 and whichis simply provided with a suitable frictionretaining bend as at 60.Otherwise, the clips are basically the same. It is also to be mentionedthat the clip which cooperates with the curvate rearward marginal edge62 has an upstanding leg 64 which is bent to form an eye 66 toaccommodate a loop-like finger grip 68. The forward marginal edge ofthis particular plate also referred to as the inner edge is denoted at70. Thus there are three clamps or clips for holding the heel plate onand allowing it to be snapped into position or unsnapped and removed ina seemingly self-evident manner.

Attention is now directed to the preferred spikes which are used on bothplates. One such spike is detailed in FIG. where it is convenientlydesignated by the numeral 72. This spike is carried by a disk-like plateor flange 74 having spanner wrench holes therein and also having ascrew-threaded stud 76 which passes through a hole 78 in the well-likedepression 80. This depression serves to seat the assembling andretaining nut or washer 82. When the washer is seated in the depressionit is substantially flush with the upper surface of the plate. This istrue in connection with the spikes on both plates 12 and 14.

The novel connecting or uniting means between the two clip-equipped andspike-equipped plates 12 and 14 is unique and is brought out withparticularity in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 9. The median part of the inward edgeis provided with a notch 84 and this notch is provided at its respectiveends with alternately bent semi-circular straps. The up-bent straps aredesignated at 86 and the down-bent semi-circular straps are denoted at88. These straps accommodate end portions of an expansible andretractable hollow pintle or hinge pin which is denoted at 90 and spansthe notch and is held by the bent straps 86 and 88. This arrangementserves to accommodate the hinged plate connecting tongue 92. The forwardend portion of the tongue is provided with a bent knuckle 94 which isfitted into the notch 84 and is rockably anchored on the hinge pin 90.The numerals 96 designate strengthening abutments which are oppositeeach other and coact with the edge 20 in the manner shown. The medianportion of this tongue is provided with a centralized elongated slot 98.The relatively narrow extension 100 constitutes a tang. Thistang-equipped hinged tongue serves to coact with the L-shaped adapterbracket 102 which is also best shown in FIG. 9. The

relatively short limb 104 is integral with the edge 70, is centrallypositioned and is of requisite height to cooperate and abut the forwardmarginal edge of the shoe heel C as illustrated. The relativelyhorizontal and elongated limb is denoted by the numeral 106 and has ascrew-threaded hole 108 to accommodate the assembling and retainingscrew 110. This leg has an accommodation slot 112 for the tang. It isparallel with and spaced from the indentation 114 and provides areceiving and stabilizing pocket for the tang when the latter has beenassembled and retentively and adjustably secured in place as brought outfor example in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 4.

In practice the clip and spike-equipped sole plate 12 is initiallyfitted into place in the manner suggested in FIGS. 1 and 4 after whichthe clips 26 are adjusted and set so that the plate will remain securelyin its given position. The connecting means 16 is adjusted by extendingit or retracting it as the case may be so that the clips 46 on the heelplate 14 fit with certainty on the shoe heel. Once the two plates 12 and14 have been adjusted relative to each other it is easy to apply andremove the overall attachment with the aid of the finger ring 68. Thisis to say the hinging means embodied in the connecting means 16 makes iteasy to snap the heel plate 14 in place and subsequently force it downand forwardly for releasing and detaching needs. It follows thereforethat once,

the attachment is properly set to a particular shoe it can be readilyapplied and removed in a self-evident manner. Then, too the hingedtongue 92, constituting an important feature of the connecting means 16,provides the desired flexibility which has been found to be necessaryfor comfortable walking once the attachment is applied.

In use the sole plate clamps or clips are adjusted for the sole width ofthe shoe and are locked in place by tightening the retaining screws. Theheel plate clips are then properly adjusted to the heel width of theshoe and are similarly fastened. The rear heel clip, which is suitablybendably resilient, is adjusted with the aid of the finger ring in aself-evident manner. The over-all attachment can then be pulled onto thesole of the shoe by guiding the sole plate clips so that they will catchthe welt of the sole and obtain a secure grip. The right and left heelclips are guided along the sides of the heel and the rear heel clip isguided along the back of the shoe heel in a manner that all clips gripthe heel at the welt or shoulder where the heel and upper part of theshoe join. The attachment is then properly in position for use on theshoe. It will be evident too that the attachment now serves the samepurposes as a regular spikeequipped golf shoe. When the user hascompleted his game of golf it is only necessary to lift the foot andcatch hold of the finger ring and to pull it out in a direction awayfrom the heel and at the same time press down on the heel clip. Thiswill cause the heel plate to move away from the shoe heel and now bypressing forward on the attachment the sole plate clips will be releasedfrom the sole of the shoe and the attachment can be removed and storedin the golf bag.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use on a walking shoe such as is commonly adapted for regularstreet wear, a readily applicable and removable self-contained golfingattachment for said shoe comprising, in combination, a sole plate of asize and shape to be removably applied firmly upon the underneathsurface of the sole of said shoe, said plate having a bottom sideprovided with lateral distributively arranged depending spikes, saidplate also having elongated side marginal edges provided with opposedclips for retentive connection with coacting portions of said shoe sole,a heel plate complemental to said sole plate and also of a size andshape to be applied to the underneath surface of the heel of said shoeand likewise having a bottom side provided with distributively arrangeddepending spikes and having marginal edges provided with clips adaptedfor retentive connection with coacting portions of said heel, saidplates having adjacent confronting inward marginal edges disposed inspaced apart but cooperatively connectible relation at the forward andrearward ends of the shank of said shoe, and mcans operatively joiningsaid inward marginal edges, the means operatively joining said inwardmarginal edges comprising (1) an elongated plate-connecting-tonguehaving a forward end provided with a hinging knuckle, a hinge pinoperatively mounted on a coacting inward marginal edge of the soleplate, said hinging knuckle being aligned and hingedly connected withsaid hinge pin, the rearward end of said tongue being free andterminating in a reduced tang and having an elongated slot and (2) arigid bracket integrally joined with a median portion of the inner edgeof the heel plate, said bracket being L-shaped in edge elevation andembodying a long limb having a slot and a complemental tang pocketingindentation for insertable reception and stabilized seated retention ofsaid tang and (3) a headed screw-threaded fastener carried by an endportion of said long limb and retentively cooperable with the slottedportion of said tongue and tang, respectively.

2. A self-contained attachment for converting a street shoe into a golfshoe comprising, in combination, a sole plate of a size and shape to beremovably applied firmly upon the underneath surface of the sole of saidshoe, said plate having a bottom side provided with distributivelyarranged depending spikes, said plate also having elongated sidemarginal edges provided with opposed clips for retentive connection withcoacting portions of said shoe sole, a heel plate complemental to saidsole plate and also of a size and shape to be applied to the underneathsurface of the heel of said shoe and likewise having a bottom sideprovided with distributively arranged depending spikes and havingmarginal edges provided with additional clips which are designed andadapted for retentive connection with coacting portions of said heel,said plates having adjacent confronting inward marginal edges disposedin spaced apart but cooperatively connectible relation at the forwardand rearward ends of the shank of said shoe, the median portion of theinner edge of said heel plate being provided with a rigid adapterbracket, the median portion of the inner edge of said sole plate beingprovided with a notch, a hinge pin operatively mounted on said inneredge and spanning said notch, and a plate uniting tongue provided at aforward end with an assembling and hinging knuckle fitted into the notchand hingedly mounted on and operatively linked to said hinge pin, therearward end of said tongue being free and providing a tang, said tangbeing adjustably and detachably connected with said adapter bracket.

3. The attachment defined in and according to claim 2, and wherein saidclips are substantially L-shaped in edge elevation, each clip havinghorizontal and vertical legs, the vertical legs having upper free endsdesigned and adapted to clampingly grip the sole or heel, as the casemay be, and the horizontal legs having longitudinal slots, and mountingand retaining screws passing through their respectively cooperable slotsand operatively joined to their respectively cooperable plates.

4. The attachment defined in and according to claim 3, and whereinmarginal portions of said plates are provided with struck-out strapsproviding stirrup-like keepers for the respectively cooperablehorizontal legs of said clips.

5. The attachment defined in and according to claim 4, and wherein oneof said keeper straps is located at a central portion of the rearmarginal edge of the heel plate in a manner to accornmodatingly locate arear clip, the vertical leg of said last-named clip being resilient andthe upper free end having a detent and being provided with a freelyaccessible pivotally mounted finger-gripping ring which facilitatesmanual application and removal of the over-all attachment.

6. The attachment defined in and according to claim 2 and wherein saidtongue, including said tang, is straight from end to end and isfiat-faced and is provided with an elongated slot, said bracket beingL-shaped in edge elevation and embodying long and short limbs, saidshort limb being integral with the coacting inner edge of the coactingheel plate and laterally offset, said long limb having an indented seatand a slot spaced from and aligned with said seat, said tang passingthrough said slot and being slidingly pocketed and retained in saidseat, and fastening means operatively mounted on an end portion of saidlong limb and passing operatively and adjustably through and cooperablewith said slot and said tongue.

7. The attachment defined in and according to claim 6, and wherein saidclips are substantially L-shaped in edge elevation, each clip havinghorizontal and vertical legs, the vertical legs being designed andadapted to clampingly grip the sole or heel, as the case may be, and thehorizontal legs having longitudinal slots, and retaining screws passingthrough said slots and secured to the respectively cooperable plates.

8. The attachment defined in and according to claim 2, and wherein oneof said addiitonal clips is L-shaped and has a horizontal leg adjustablymounted on a median portion of a rear marginal edge of said heel plateand a vertical upstanding leg which is bendably resilient and has anupper free end terminating in a detent and provided with a convenientlyaccessible pivotally mounted finger ring which when caught hold of andproperly used facilitates applying and removing the over-all attachment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 452,284 5/1891 Reilly 36-65710,187 9/1902 Downer 36-64 1,837,730 12/1931 Smith 367.6 2,002,7065/1935 Mong 367.6 2,538,182 1/1951 Young 367.6 2,668,373 2/1954 Russo36-7.6 3,229,389 1/1966 Adams 367.6

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner G. H. KRIZMANICH, Assistant Examiner

